Rajrappa

Rajrappa is a waterfall and a pilgrimage centre in Ramgarh district in the Indian state of Jharkhand.

Rajrappa Falls
Maa Chhinnamasta temple
Rajrappa Falls
LocationRamgarh district, Jharkhand, India
Coordinates23°37′55″N 85°42′40″E
Elevation346 metres (1,135 ft)
Total height9.1 metres (30 ft)
WatercourseBhairavi River

Geography
Cities, towns and locations in Ramgarh district in North Chotanagpur Division
M: municipality, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, T: tourist centre, P: power plant
Abbreviation used- TPP: thermal power project
Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly

Location

Rajrappa is located at 23°37′55″N 85°42′40″E.

Rajrappa stands at the confluence of the Damodar and Bhairavi (locally called Bhera) rivers.[1]

Rajrappa is located off NH 23 connecting Ramgarh and Chas. It is 20 kilometres (12 mi) from Ramgarh,[2]65 kilometres (40 mi) from Hazaribagh,[3] 70 kilometres (43 mi) from Ranchi and 68 kilometres (42 mi) from Bokaro Steel City.[1]

Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the district. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.

Waterfalls
A view of Bhera river before its confluence with river Damodar

The Bhera or Bhairavi joins the Damodar, falling from a height of 9.1 metres (30 ft). It is a scenic spot that offers boating facilities and spectacular rock formation for the visitors.[1][4]

Geographical significance

Rajrappa Falls has tremendous geographical significance. The Damodar valley at Rajrappa is a typical example of polycyclic valley or topographic discordance which is characterized by two storey valley. The Damodar developed its broad and flat valley of senile stage before the onset of Tertiary upliftment. The river was rejuvenated due to upliftment of landmass during the Paleogene and Neogene Periods (66 million to 1.8 million years ago) by the side effects of the Himalayan orogeny and thus the Damodar excavated its new deep and narrow valley of youthful stage within its broad and flat valley of senile stage. The Bhera river coming from over the Ranchi plateau makes a waterfall while joining the Damodar and thus presents an example of a hanging valley. The Damodar gorge near Rajrappa is a typical example of incised meander.[5]

Pilgrimage centre
Main article: Chhinnamasta Temple

Rajrappa is a Hindu pilgrimage centre attracting an estimated 2,500-3,000 persons daily.[3] The main attraction of the Chhinnamasta (also known as Chinnamastika) temple located here is the headless deity of goddess Chinnamasta which stands on the body of Kamdev and Rati in the lotus bed. The Chhinnamasta temple is very popular for its Tantrik style of architectural design. The temple is very old but has that essence of enchantment.[6] Apart from the main temple, there are ten temples of various gods and goddesses such as the Sun God and Lord Shiva.[2] Animal sacrifice is still practised in the temple. The sacrifice is offered on Tuesdays and Saturdays and during Kali puja.[7]

Rajrappa also is a pilgrim centre for the Santals and other tribals who come for immersion of the ashes of their loved ones in the Damodar. They come mostly during the month of December, in groups known as yatri. As per their mythology it is their final resting place. In their folk songs Rajrappa is referred to as "Thel Kopi Ghat" (Water Ghat) and they use oil after bathing. They come in significant numbers from the southern parts of Jharkhand state such as East and West Singhbhum and Saraikela districts.

In popular culture Chinnamasta is featured in the detective story of Bengali novel Feluda series "Chinnamastar Obhishap" by the renowned filmmaker Satyajit Ray.

Civic administration

Police station

Rajrappa police station serves Chitarpur CD block.[8]

Economy

Rajrappa Area of Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited, is located in Ramgarh Coalfield. It is one of the biggest coal-fields in its region. It is widely known as the Rajrappa Project, which consist of the main quarry (a huge open cast mine), offices, colonies, recreation facilities, shopping complexes, a police out-post and public utility buildings. It is a complete township in itself.[7]

Education

See also

References
  1. "Rajrappa Falls". india9. Retrieved 2010-04-20.
  2. "Rajrappa temple". Ramgarh district administration. Retrieved 2010-04-20.
  3. "Rajrappa". Hazaribagh district administration. Retrieved 2010-04-20.
  4. Dr. B.R. Kishore, Dr. Shiv Sharma (2008). India - A Travel Guide. Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd. p. 301. ISBN 9788128400674.
  5. Bukhari, A. Z. (2005). Encyclopedia of nature of geography By A.Z. Bukhari. ISBN 9788126124435. Retrieved 2010-04-29.
  6. "Attractions at Rajrappa". mapsofindia. Archived from the original on 2011-06-22. Retrieved 2010-04-20.
  7. "Next weekend you can be at ... Rajrappa". The Telegraph, 23 September 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
  8. "District Police Profile - Ramgarh". Jharkhand Police. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
External image
Photographs of Rajrappa
External video
Boating in the Damodar
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